Favre Make Up Your Mind Or Leave The Game Behind

Brett Favre has done it all as quarterback in the National Football League. But a time comes when you just need to shut it down and ride into the sunset. Over the last three years you can see it's not that easy.

Whether it was that red face teary eyed interview after beating the Bears on Sunday Night Football three years ago, or two years ago when the Packers were yet again so close to another Super Bowl before an OT field goal by the Giants Lawrence Tynes in subzero temperatures.  It's the same story over and over again with Favre tossing and turning whether he's ready to give up the game he's played the last 18 years.

Just when it got to the point of no return. Favre had the Jets atop the AFC East with four weeks to go last year, but a persistent bicep injury hurt ultimately altered Favre's performance down the stretch. Deep down Broadway Brett was never meant to be.

It wasn't until the release of Favre from the Jets after drafting Sanchez that this scenario was even possible.  It's been played out in the media for the last three months. Favre has even had orthopedic surgery on that right throwing shoulder.

That goes to show that he still thinks he can play this game, and at a high level as part of the Minnesota Vikings. Whether he wants to stick it to Ted Thompson or Coach McCarthy, if Favre comes back he's going to be battling against the organization that gave him it all.

No quarterback in the game has thrown more touchdowns then Favre. No quarterback has thrown more interceptions then him. Brett is the ultimate ironman athlete and his durability over the years is one of the qualities that makes him still believe he can be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.

It's not even about putting about superb stats this year. The major concern is that the Minnesota Vikings win games. They have Adrian Peterson running the ball, and strong willed defensive end Jared Allen. Arguably the best offensive and defensive lines in the league.

Favre is still conflicted at the moment whether he wants to play or not. Maybe that's all for show, because this media attention has gotten so far out of control that he has to report to training camp as a Viking, or his reputation will be tarnished even further.

His arm could still be slow recovering, but Favre doesn't need to be the gunslinger he always has been. The Vikings need a quarterback that can manage the game and get the ball down the field with time not big play high risk high reward passes.  Tavaris Jackson is young and unproven, and Sage Rosenfals doesn't have the experience to lead the Vikings to the Superbowl.

Brett Favre still has the physical and mental ability to succeed in the NFL.  Assuming he is healthy there is no reason he shouldn't come back. He's playing a system he accomplished so much in.  Not to mention the two coaches he played for when he was young and inexperienced with Brad Childress head coach and Derell Beverly the offensive coordinator.

On paper Favre seems like a perfect fit being able to play inside at home is another added bonus. If he's going to play in 2009 it's about time he comes out and tells the world. Enough of this guessing and flip flopping whether or not we will see number four in purple.

If Favre's arm doesn't heal correctly and he truly can't play then that's too bad and that should be the last of Favre news for at least six months. If Favre comes back for a third time he needs to with 100% commitment as one of the guys.  His goal should be to go out with a Super Bowl title delivered to Minnesota.

Brett is way past his prime days as an NFL quarterback, but he still has what it takes to win in this league. Whether or not he can keep it together for an entire season throughout the playoffs is yet to be seen.  The Vikings players have personally reached out to Favre only making the decision on him that much tougher.

It seems like since the day the Jets released him, the Vikings have been the team that have targeted him on their radar. They believe he's that one missing piece to the puzzle that could put them over the top.

Wherever and whenever Favre steps on an NFL playing field there's only the chance of some football magic. It's the reputations he holds both positive and negative. His career numbers speak for themselves. There's still something in him that's pushing him back to the game he loves for a 19th season.

Very soon we will hear from Favre and what he's feeling. There's a burden on Favre and the attention he's generated in the media and with the Vikings organization has put him in this position.

If he does comeback like most people believe he will it better be for the right reasons. Revenge against the Packers would only do a lot of damage in the end. Favre should be focused on being a leader in the Vikings locker room and using his leadership abilities to instill trust in his player on Minnesota.

If Favre truly shuts it down for good, his career has to be applauded. It also has to be the last chapter written in a storied book career. There's no turning back after this decision if he is really ready to give up the game he's played since he was a little kid.

It's as simple as that Brett. You've had an amazing ride, but this retirement saga year after year has gone overboard. This is the tip of the iceberg and there's a breaking point one way or another. Favre make up your mind on playing for the Vikings in 2009 or leave the game you love behind like any other classic athlete would.